The main thing about the GT shape is the compound curves. Curves disappeared from car design for a couple of decades and that was a huge mistake. In general, square or rectangular lights would not work well with the curved shapes on a GT. When I see the front air dams that are angular with rectangular lights in them or with rectangular headlights I think that the shapes don't help emphasize the form of the car but take away from it. They also remind me of some Corvettes. I also see no reason why anyone should try to make a GT look like a Corvette. They are really different cars and different designs. The one Corvette style element that does make visual sense to me on a GT would be vents behind the front wheels. I think that would go well with the existing design.
Many of the tuning kits and spoilers that I've seen for the GT don't help or add to or emphasize the already great design but detract from it and try to make the car look like something else. There is no reason to do that.
The round, flush tail lights in the example borrowed from "Lofa" look pretty good to me and along with those wheels make it look as if the car could have been designed that way today. From the vantage point in the photo it looks like a completely modern car with those tail lights. That's one test of a great idea or design; it stands the test of time and doesn't look awkward later.
The main thing about the GT shape is the compound curves. Curves disappeared from car design for a couple of decades and that was a huge mistake. In general, square or rectangular lights would not work well with the curved shapes on a GT. When I see the front air dams that are angular with rectangular lights in them or with rectangular headlights I think that the shapes don't help emphasize the form of the car but take away from it. They also remind me of some Corvettes. I also see no reason why anyone should try to make a GT look like a Corvette. They are really different cars and different designs. The one Corvette style element that does make visual sense to me on a GT would be vents behind the front wheels. I think that would go well with the existing design.
Many of the tuning kits and spoilers that I've seen for the GT don't help or add to or emphasize the already great design but detract from it and try to make the car look like something else. There is no reason to do that.
The round, flush tail lights in the example borrowed from "Lofa" look pretty good to me and along with those wheels make it look as if the car could have been designed that way today. From the vantage point in the photo it looks like a completely modern car with those tail lights. That's one test of a great idea or design; it stands the test of time and doesn't look awkward later.
. The one Corvette style element that does make visual sense to me on a GT would be vents behind the front wheels. I think that would go well with the existing design.
Yeah...like that but I would have made those vents longer (taller) then they'd be more in proportion with the rest of the car and would look more like part of the original design. They should also probaby follow or bear some relationship with the curve of the wheel well.
I think that there was a guy on this website who lengthened his GT and welded in sheet metal to create vents like this behind the front wheels. It looked pretty good to me. I think it was the same guy who did both. The car was also down to bare metal in each photo.
Hi
My thinking of building my opel GT was to make it a little more modern, i think like BDD that the design of the GT looks very nice whith very small upgrades and i think it was a little before its time..
Born to Drive
73 GT
Sport suspension, lowered 2", polyurethane bushings, Koni Reds, adjustable pan hard rod, 215/40/16 on 16x7.5" front and 245/35/16 on 16x9" rear ESM wheels, Ported intake, custom cold air intake, sprint exhaust manifold, 2" free flow exhaust, 4-core radiator, Getrag 5-speed, Momo steering wheel, Saks heavy duty clutch, Euro style driving lights, tinted windows, seats from Acura Integra, 3 point retractable seat belts from a '75 Manta, flush mount aircraft style gas cap
Born to Drive
73 GT
Sport suspension, lowered 2", polyurethane bushings, Koni Reds, adjustable pan hard rod, 215/40/16 on 16x7.5" front and 245/35/16 on 16x9" rear ESM wheels, Ported intake, custom cold air intake, sprint exhaust manifold, 2" free flow exhaust, 4-core radiator, Getrag 5-speed, Momo steering wheel, Saks heavy duty clutch, Euro style driving lights, tinted windows, seats from Acura Integra, 3 point retractable seat belts from a '75 Manta, flush mount aircraft style gas cap
This is what I did for my rear side marker lights. The front GT nose blitz was duplicated by a resin cast system with screw posts embedded. The marker and blitz sandwich the rear panel along with a gasket. The side markers are off the shelf from AutoZone ($3 each). Out of pocket expense was about $10.
It cost me extra time but they give me something unique. I have used a clay mold and casting system to replicate other parts like the windshield visor hinges and body letters.
Jerry
This is what I did for my rear side marker lights. The front GT nose blitz was duplicated by a resin cast system with screw posts embedded. The marker and blitz sandwich the rear panel along with a gasket. The side markers are off the shelf from AutoZone ($3 each). Out of pocket expense was about $10.
It cost me extra time but they give me something unique. I have used a clay mold and casting system to replicate other parts like the windshield visor hinges and body letters.
Jerry
Thats pretty nifty. A very special, and likely look, for a GT. I could see something like that coming from the factory during the times when the GT was being made.
This is what I did for my rear side marker lights. The front GT nose blitz was duplicated by a resin cast system with screw posts embedded. The marker and blitz sandwich the rear panel along with a gasket. The side markers are off the shelf from AutoZone ($3 each). Out of pocket expense was about $10.
It cost me extra time but they give me something unique. I have used a clay mold and casting system to replicate other parts like the windshield visor hinges and body letters.
Jerry
I am at heart a purest, No mater what we've built over the years, and we've done everything from Bently's to Z's. I lean toward the factory look, the only thing I've ever pushed to change is color. That being said, I really like this.
I thought I had my Spyder's lights all figured out.... then you all started this.
Now I saw GVYs post of the Lumma GT.... now the wheels are turning... sigh... I was just going to flush mount the original tail lights and "french" the license plate. But now....... awwwwwww man.... time for some rethinkering....
Thanks Guys! ( I actually mean that... some good ideas here)
Hi
My thinking of building my opel GT was to make it a little more modern, i think like BDD that the design of the GT looks very nice whith very small upgrades and i think it was a little before its time..
Here is one more picture of my GT rearend
Your car on the website you linked to looks great with just small styling adjustments from what I can see. They mean a lot. To me, too many of the after market spoilers and "tuning" parts don't understand the design and clash with it instead of reinforcing it and making it even stronger. What product did you use for the tail lights and what mods for the lights and wiring were required. Are gaskets available to go with them that work with the GT? I think the chrome surrounds on the Acura lights would also look great on the GT if the dimensions, etc, work.
You have a Volvo T engine for power? have you posted that video here?
Your car on the website you linked to looks great with just small styling adjustments from what I can see. They mean a lot. To me, too many of the after market spoilers and "tuning" parts don't understand the design and clash with it instead of reinforcing it and making it even stronger. What product did you use for the tail lights and what mods for the lights and wiring were required. Are gaskets available to go with them that work with the GT? I think the chrome surrounds on the Acura lights would also look great on the GT if the dimensions, etc, work.
You have a Volvo T engine for power? have you posted that video here?
Thanks!
Yes it got a 2.8l volvo 24valve turboengine, GT35R turbo. Almost 500Hp with 1 bar boost.
Well that is a big change, how about the tail lights? Did you do anything to the fenders too or is it just the camera angle that makes some of the shots stand right out and brings out some of the great lines of the car? The interaction of different curves makes a great composition as a design, in my opinion. This happens with some classic boat designs too from the right angles. The key is designing something so it presents interesting views from many vantage points then it's a very dynamic design as it moves or even when just stationary. Also, is that a chromed radiator that I see at the front of the car from the exterior or something else. The exact lines might interfere just a bit from the rest of the body but that's subjective....the idea of working with the grille and possibly adding some central, defining feature is excellent though. On BMW's, their distinctive grille pattern stands right out. You could post some pictures as general mods for what you did.
Here are some shots of Christofer's (Lofa's) purple car. Seemingly small changes really stand out. I have also attached two pic's of a blue car linked to his site that I've modified for a possible paint scheme for my car. I wonder what color blue is is on that car? I think a custom designed rear spoiler would look great too and possibly racing stripes.
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Originally Posted by BDD
1971 Opel GT
1973 Opel GT
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